Venezuela coastal towers collapsed after government ignored seismic warnings

An investigation reveals that the Venezuelan government ignored scientific warnings regarding the safety of constructing tall concrete apartment complexes along the coastal strip of La Guaira. Experts, including seismologists and engineers, had cautioned against building in the area due to its proximity to a major fault line, a mountain range prone to disasters, and unstable silt soil that amplifies earthquake shaking.

On June 24, powerful back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck the region, causing at least 14 apartment towers to collapse. The disaster resulted in more than 6,500 deaths and left over 17,000 people homeless. The current construction in the area dates back to 2010, when the government sought to address a humanitarian crisis following previous mudslides and heavy rains.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has faced criticism for failing to address the causes of the building collapses or the high death toll. Experts suggest the decision to build in this specific location was a defiance of natural geological risks.